balm

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Pronunciation

• (British) IPA: /bɑːm/
• (America) IPA: /bɑm/, /bɑlm/

Noun

balm

1. Any of various aromatic resins exuded from certain plants, especially trees of the genus Commiphora of Africa, Arabia and India and Myroxylon of South America.
2. A plant or tree yielding such substance.
3. Any soothing oil or lotion, especially an aromatic one.

   There is a balm in Gilead... (Spiritual)

4. (figuratively) Something soothing.

   Classical music is a sweet balm for our sorrows.

5. The lemon balm, Melissa officinalis
6. Any of a number of other aromatic herbs with a similar citrus-like scent, such as bee balm and horse balm.

Synonyms

• (aromatic resin) balsam
• (plant or tree) balsam
• (soothing oil or lotion) balsam
• (something soothing) balsam

Related terms

• balmy
• balsam
• embalming

Verb

balm (balms, present participle balming; past and past participle balmed)

1. (transitive, archaic) To anoint with balm, or with anything medicinal.
2. (transitive, figurative) To soothe; to mitigate.

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